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International Review of Education (2009) 55:157181 Springer 2008 DOI 10.1007/s11159-008-9125-9
WHY THERE CAN BE NO CONFLICT RESOLUTION AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE BEING HUMILIATED
EVELIN G. LINDNER
Abstract This paper discusses how conict resolution and reconciliation, in their interplay with emotions, are embedded into two current trends: the transition toward increasing global interdependence, and the call for equal dignity for all. In a traditional world of ranked honour, humiliation is often condoned as a legitimate and useful tool; however, in terms of human rights it is seen as a violation of humanity. This article argues that the norms of equal dignity are worth supporting for two reasons: rst, the human rights framework promotes quality of life, and second, it is the best way to tackle increasing global interdependence. Yet, there is a caveat. While feelings of humiliation in the face of debasing conditions are an important resource in that they emotionally fuel the human rights movement, they also represent what the author calls the nuclear bomb of the emotions that, if instrumentalised, can power cycles of humiliation and atrocities. Only if the implementation of human rights is approached hands-on and these feelings converted into Mandela-like social transformation to form a decent global village can the human rights movement full its promise and humiliation be transcended.
Rsum POURQUOI IL NE PEUT Y AVOIR AUCUNE RSOLUTION DUN CONFLIT TANT QUE LES GENS SONT HUMILIS Cette etude discute de savoir comment, dans leur interaction avec les emotions, la rsolution dun conit et la reconciliation sont incluses dans deux tendances actuelles: la transition vers une interde-pendance globale croissante, et lappel a` une dignite egale pour tous. Dans un monde traditionnel de classication par les honneurs, lhumiliation est souvent excusee comme tant un outil lgitime et utile; cependant, en termes de droits de lhomme, elle est vue comme une violation de lhumanite. Cet article soutient que cela vaut la peine de soutenir les normes dune egalite dans la dignit pour deux raisons: dabord, le cadre des droits de lhomme favorise la qualite de vie, et en second lieu, il est mieux adapte pour sattaquer a` une interdependance globale croissante. Cependant, il y a une opposition. Tandis que les sentiments dhumiliation face a` des conditions rabaissantes sont une ressource importante, du...